Ice cube tray



Dec. 5, 1939. A. G. SHERMAN ICE CUBE TRAY 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug.A9, 1937 BY @W @uw ATTORNEYS Dec. 5, 1939-. A, G, SHERMAN 2,182,454

ICE CUBE TRAY Filed Aug. 9. 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. HZz/zn 6,'57m/'man @mw Mm@ Patented Dec. 5, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICEApplication August 9,

11 Claims.

'Ihis invention relates to ice cube trays.

This invention has particularly to do with an ice tray which is formedof exible rubber` and supported at the outside\and between individual 5ice cube pockets by a reinforcing frame.

An object of the invention is to provide an ice tray so'designed thatindividual ice cubes may be easily removed therefrom. This isaccomplished,

first, by suspending each individual soft rubber- 10 ice pocket from areinforcing frame which is definitely larger in transverse dimensionsthan the dimensions of the cross-section of the ice pocket or the icecube to be formed therein; and, secondly, by an unusual bottom design inthe ice l5 pocket which quickly releases the cube from the bottom wall.

Upward pressure on the rubber ice pocket and ice cube contained thereinwill result in an easy removal of the ice cube since the soft rubberwalls 20 will readily strip from the ice cube. Each ice pocket willessentially 'turn inside out until the ice cubeis fully released. Thebottom wall of the ice cube is designed to have a substantially circulardepression therein of smaller diameter than 25 the width of the wall.During the removal-.of the. ice cube this depression will be subjectedto pressure and will gradually fold inwardly, to form a sort of dome inthe bottom of the ice pocket meanwhile stripping itself from; the bot-30 tom of the ice cube and readily releasing the bottom wall of the icepocket.

A further object of the invention is to furnish an ice pocket that isespecially adapted for use with a continuous ice cube forming anddispensing 35 device such as that disclosed in my Patent No'.

l In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a cut away perspective view of an. ice tray assembly showingthe relation of the re- 40 inforcing wire frame to the soft rubber tray.

y Fig; 2 illustrates the supporting frame of the tray.

Fig. 3 is a side view of the assembled tray.

Fig. 4 is a transverse section of the assembly.

Fig. 5 is a transverse section showing a modifled self-levelingconstruction.

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal section of the assembly.

Fig. 7 is a detail cross-section of an ice pocket and' ice cubeillustrating the manner in which 50 the walls of the pocket strip fromthe ice cube.

Fig. 8 is a View similar to Fig. 7 in which the side walls and bottom ofthe ice pocket are completely freed from the ice cube.

Fig. 9 is an enlarged view of a section of the 55 assembly showing thedimensional relationship 1937, Serial N0. 158,123

between the ice pocket and the individual supporting means.

Fig. l illustrates a modification of the invention as adapted to acontinuous ice forming machine.

Fig. 11 is a detailed cross-sectional view of the modification of Fig.10 taken on the lines II-I I.

Fig. 12 is a side view showing the conveyor chain.

Figs.l 13, 14 and 15 illustrate various stages in the stripping of theice cube from the walls and bottom of the ice pocket.

A preferred embodiment of one modification of the invention isillustrated in Figs. l to 9. The reinforcing means consists of a frame I(Fig. 2) composed of support members 2, a top edging bar 3, andcross-members 4 and 5, all suitably soldered or welded together. A softrubber tray 6 (Fig. 1) is formed on frame l in such manner that theedging bar 3 and the cross-members 4 and are enveloped directly withinthe rubber itself. Individual ice cube pockets l are formed in each ofthe openings between the cross-members 4 and 5. In the bottom wall ofeach of the pockets a depression 8 is formed. This depression ispreferably, though not necessarily, substantially circular in contour,and smaller in diameter than the width of the bottom of the ice pocket.y

An important feature of the invention is the manner in which the sidewalls of each of the ice pockets are designed in relation to thecrossmembers 4 and 5 and the edging bar 3. At the normal level of thewater in the ice pocket it is important that there be an upward andoutward extending surface or arcuate brim 9 on eachside wall. ReferringtoV Fig. 4, for example, it will be seen that, between the edge of aformed ice cube and the reinforcing means ofthe supporting frame, as,for exampleIk members 3 and 4, there is a brim space designated a, and,this is true on each side of the cube as shown by the longitudinalcross-section in Fig. 6. The walls of the ice pockets 'I are preferablytapered slightly toward the bottomv though this is not necessary to thesuccessful operation of the device. In addition it is preferable thattheside walls of the pocket be formed of very thin flexible material. Thiswill facilitate the removal of the frozen substance as well as shortenthe freezing time.

In Fig. 5 the cross-members 4 are shown dropped slightly from the edgingbar 3 to form a self-leveling construction which facilitates the icecube is subjected to upward pressure applied directly to the bottom ofthe vflexible rubber' pocket, there will be a tendency for the walls ofthe ice pocket to move upward `with the ice cube. These walls will beheld down at the top by the supporting cross-members 4 and 5, andtheresult will be that the upper, outwardly extending brim portion 9ofthe walls will tend to pivot about the reinforcing members 3, I and 5as fulcrums. This tendency to pivot will be transformed into a peelingaction, best shown in Fig. 7, whereby the flexible walls of the icepocket will be turned inside out and the ice cube will be easily freedfrom the pocket.

In the modification shown in Figs. 11 to 15, the ice pockets are formedin the longitudinal groups of as many as are desired. Parallel conveyorchains formed of links I0 are connected by transverse bars I2. Theflexible rubber ice pockets are reinforced by apertured frames ofsubstantially rigid material. Side members I3 of said frame are shown(end view) in Figs. 13, 14 and 15. Outwardly extending bearing lugs I4are provided on the side members I3 for engaging the transverse bars I2of the chain conveyor. These bearing lugs I4 are alternately spaced oneach side of the frame to avoid interference with lugs of adjacentframes when they are suspended on the bars' I2, as shown particularly inFig. 10. The side members I3 are joined at each end, and between eachice pocket, by cross-members I5 shown in cross-section in Fig. 11.

The flexible rubber ice pockets I6 formed around the frame bars I3 andI5 are provided with a reinforced bottom flange I1 in which is embeddeda square apertured reinforcing member I8 which extends substantially tothe edges of the flange I'I. In the rubber bottom of the pockets isformed a semi-spherical depression I9 which extends through the aperturein the reinforcing member I8. l

The operation of the above described modication is somewhat dierentfrom` that of the rst described device. The distance a is still providedbetween the reinforcing frame members I3 and I5 and the upper edges ofthe ice cube so that the side walls, as previously described, willfunction around the frame members I3 and I5 and strip or peel from theice cube when the ice pocket is subjected to upward pressure. When theiianges I1 strike the lug bearings Il the lower portion of the icepocket is no longer free to rise. The side walls of the pocket, are,however, iiexible enough that they Will stretch to allow the peelingaction to continue. Furthermore, the pressure will be exerted directlyon the ice cube through the portion I9 of ythe bottom of theA icepocket. The peculiar formation of the bottom of the ice cube, due tothis depression portion I9,`

will result in a peeling of the bottom away from the ice cube aspressure is exerted upwardly through the aperture in the reinforcingmember I 'I (Fig. 15). In this manner theentire cube can be freed fromthe rubber pocket by a shorter stroke than was necessary in the firstmodication described. Y

This modification illustrated in Figs. 11 to 15 is especially adaptedfor use with continuousvice forming machines of the endless `conveyortype,

as described, for example, in my Patent No. 1,85'7,

122. In these machines a special` ejector member is provided with teethor projections adapted to cooperate with the rubber portions I 9 in thebottom of the ice pocket.

It will further be seen that a wire reinforcing frame is not necessaryto the invention as long 'as there is present anfequivalent thereof suchas,

for example, a. sti rubber bridging member between the ice pockets.

What I claim is:

1. A container suitable for liquids to be solidied, comprising aplurality of individual pockets having flexible side walls, a flexiblebrim portion on each of said pockets extending outward from said sidewalls, relatively .stiff bridging means between each of said pocketsandextending around the edge of said brim, said bridging means beingadapted to serve as a hold down for the outer edge of said brim portionwhen a 4pocket containing the solidied substance is subjected tomovement relative to said bridging means whereby said side walls willpeel from said solidifled substance, and a substantially at bottom ineach of said pockets having a depression formed therein which is adaptedto turn inside out during the removal of said substance from saidpockets.

2. In a. rubber tray suitable for liquids to be solidified, asubstantially rigid frame comprising an outer rim, and spacedcross-members extending across said outer rim in two directions to formregular enclosed spaces therebetween, and a tray member formed on saidframe comprising a number of spaced individual pockets having relativelythin exible side walls and arranged to register with said enclosedspaces in said frame, and flexible bridging portions integral with andbetween the adjacent walls of the pockets and reinforced by thecross-members of said frame the upper portion of said ilexible walls`being formed such that pressure against the bottom of any individualpocket when filled with a solidied substance will peel the ilexible sidewalls outward and downward from point of contact with said solidiedsubstance.

3. A tray suitable for containing substances to be solidiiied comprisinga skeleton wire framel embedded in a soft rubber body made up ofindividual ice pockets and-rubber bridging portions therebetween,cross-members on said frame positioned between and around said pocketsand embedded in said bridging portions, and an outwardly extendingflexible brim portion on each of said pockets integrally connected withsaid bridging portions and frame such that a solidified suba thinflexible side walls `having an outwardly ex-l frame, said frame beingadapted to serve as a' pivot about which the brim portion of said sidewalls turns when the ice filled pocket is fmoved toward the frame.

5. I n a rubber ice forming pocket, an enclosed substantially rigidframe, an ice pocket formed on and supported in said enclosed framecomprising relatively thin flexible side walls having an outwardlyextending brim portion in which is embedded the frame, a iiexible bottomportion enclosing said side walls and provided with an outwardlyextending substantially rigid iiange, and means on said frame forengaging and blocking the movement of said flange as it is moved towardsaid frame, said frame being adapted to serve as a pivot about which thebrim portion of said side walls turns when the ice filled pocket ispressed toward the frame.

6. In a soft rubber ice tray, a substantially thin rigid frame andcross-members, spaced ice pockets comprising relatively thin resilientside walls having outwardlyextending brim portions sup-l ported on saidcross-members, a exible bottom portion enclosing said side walls andprovided with an outwardly extending substantially rigid ange, asubstantially semi-spherical depressed portion in said iiexible bottomportion, and abutment means on said frame for engaging and blocking themovement of said iiange when it is pushed toward said frame, saiddepressed portion and said brim portions being so designed that pressureon said bottom portion toward said frame will tend to peel the sidewalls of the pocket from ice contained therein, until said ange strikesthe abutment means on the frame, and continued pressure on saiddepressed portion toward said frame will peel the remaining walls andbottom of the pocket from said ice.

7. In a soft rubber ice tray. a substantially thin rigid frame andcross-members, spaced ice pockets formed on and supported in said frame,each pocket comprising relatively thin resilient side walls havingoutwardly extending brim portions in which are embedded thecross-members of the frame, a flexible bottom portion enclosing saidside walls and provided with an outwardly extending substantially rigidflange, a substantially semi-spherical depressed portion in saidflexible bottom portion, and abutment means on said frame for engagingand blocking the movement of said flange when it is pushed toward saidframe, said depressed portion and said brim portions being so designedthat pressure on said bottom portion toward said frame will tend to peelthe side walls of the pocket from ice contained.

cross-members of said frame and comprising relatively thin resilientside walls having outwardly extending brim portions supported by saidcross-members, a iiexible bottom portion enclosing said side walls andprovided with an outwardly extending abutment means, a. substantiallysemi-spherical depressed portion in said flexible bottom portion, andmeans on said frame for engaging and blocking the-movement of saidabutment means when it is pushed toward said frame, said depressedportion and said brim portions being so designed that pressure on saidbottom portion toward said frame will tend to pressure on said depressedportion ltoward said frame will peel the remaining walls and bottom y ofthe pocket from said ice.

9. In a soft rubber ice tray, a substantiauy thin rigid frame andcross-members, spaced ice pockets formed on and supported in said frame,each pocket being surrounded at its top portion by cross-members of saidframe and comprising relatively thinA resilient side walls having out-twardly extending brim portions in which are embedded the cross-membersof the frame, a iiexible bottom portion enclosing said side walls andprovided with an outwardly extendingsubstantially rigid iiange, asubstantially semi-spherical depressed portion in said flexible bottomportion, and means on said frame for engaging and blocking the movementof said ange when it is pushed toward said frame, said depressed portionand said brim portions being so designed that pressure on said bottomportion toward said frame will tend to peel the side walls of the pocketfrom ice contained therein, until said flange strikes the blocking meanson the frame, and continued pressure'on said depressed portion towardsaid frame will peel-the remaining walls and bottom of the pocket fromsaid ice.

10. An ice tray for use with a continuous conveyor ice forming unitcomprising a series of connected ice pockets formed in soft rubber, asubstantially rigid supporting frame surrounding each of -said icepockets, an outwardly extending flexible brim portion on each of saidpockets connecting the same with said frame, and means on said frame forsupporting said tray in a continuous conveyor, said ice pockets beingadapted .to be released from ice cubes formed therein by movement towardsaid frame whereby the pockets are turned partially inside out andpeeled from the ice cube.

11. An ice tray for use with a continuous' conveyor ice forming unitcomprising a series-of connected ice pockets formed in soft rubber, asubstantially rigid supporting frame surrounding each of said icepockets, each pocket comprising relatively thin flexible side Walls, anoutwardly extending brim portion on'said side walls connectingsthem tosaid frame, a iiexible bottom portion enclosing said side walls, andabutment means extending outwardly from said side walls at a point nearthe bottom of the pocket, means on said frame for supporting said trayin a continuous conveyor, and means on said frame for engaging andblocking the movement of said abutment means on the pockets as the sameare pushed toward said frame, said frame being adapted to serve as ahold down for the outer edge of the brim portion of said side wall whenbottoms of the pockets containing ice cubes formed therein are forcedtoward said frame,

whereby the sides and bottom of the pocket are freed from said ice cubesupon continued application of force through said bottom portion towardsaid frame. i

ALVIN G. SHERMAN.

